Stephen L. Groves, Boca Hotel Doorman

OBITUARIES

BOCA RATON — Stephen Lewis Groves, former head doorman for the Boca Raton Resort & Club, died Sunday of cancer. He was 47.

Mr. Groves was born in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., and moved to Boca Raton about 25 years ago.

Almost immediately after moving to South Florida, Mr. Groves went to work for the exclusive hotel as a doorman. He greeted guests as they arrived in their cars, unloaded their luggage, and gave them tickets for valet parking.

Mr. Groves ran the front door for almost 20 years until his illness forced him to leave about a year ago, according to his friend and co-worker, Jack Hastings.

``He hired me here 14 years ago,'' Hastings said, adding that Mr. Groves was ``a very, very dedicated worker for the hotel here and very well liked. And we're going to miss him a lot.''

Hastings, the hotel's bell captain, said Mr. Groves had a West Virginia accent and enjoyed playing tennis every day.

But that hobby never got in the way of his job, Hastings said.

``He was the type of guy that would never miss work,'' Hastings said. ``The hotel was his life. He loved being here and we loved having him here.''

Mr. Groves is survived by his wife of 21 years, Ann Groves; two sisters, Robin Newsome of Raleigh, N.C., and Connie Vance of White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.; and a brother, John Groves of White Sulpher Springs.

A service will be held 11 a.m. today at First Baptist Church of Delray Beach, 16333 S. Military Trail, Delray Beach.

Burial will be in West Virginia.

Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the University of Miami Transplant Foundation or Centerpiece Ministries, 441 SE Second St., Delray Beach, FL 33483.

Arrangements are being made by Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home in Boynton Beach.